Do you follow me on Instagram or Facebook? I love the conversations and back-and-forth engagement we have other there. I recently opened it up and invited my Instagram readers to ask me anything…and you didn’t hold back! I figured many of you might have the same questions, or be interested in them, so thought I’d share them here. And since I received so many (way too many for one post), I started a new You Ask, I Answer series! (See the first one here.)

So let’s get started with the second batch!

Q. Which moisturizer do you use on your face? Does it contain sunscreen, or do you use sunscreen separately?

The Sheer Renewal Cream is hands-down the best day cream I’ve ever used! It’s light, absorbs quickly, and really brightens my face. As for sunscreen, the iT Cosmetics CC Cream I wear daily has SPF 50! See my full makeup routine here and my best makeup tips for looking younger here.

Q. How do you keep the dog hair under control, especially if they get on the bed and furniture?

Oy, we love our pups…but the dog hair drives me crazy!! And now that we have precious Mollie, it’s double the love and double the hair!! Fortunately, Maggie is the real shedder, and she doesn’t get on the furniture (until we leave the house, but then it’s just one spot!)

We tried a robotic vacuum, but it was constantly getting hung-up on the rugs and under tables…so I basically Swiffer daily (yes, every. single. day!) and run the vacuum a couple of times a week. My obsessive cleaning is a little overkill, but I’m kind of a nut about no hair. #shocker I just use the vacuum attachment or a lint roller for the furniture, and wash the throw blankets weekly.

Q. I’m looking for wedge sandals for Summer, do you have any suggestions?

Aaaah Summer, I can hardly wait!! Of course I’ve already been scouring the stores for the best sandals and wedges, and pretty sure these wedges might win Best in Show! They are comfy, especially considering the extra height, and the natural color is not only super-neutral, but leg-lengthening! And the price is great! I also have and love these from last year.

As for flat sandals, I took the plunge and invested in these last Summer, and they quickly became my most-worn pair of shoes for every season but Winter! I’ve probably worn them 100 times already (check my Sugarplum Style posts in warm-weather months for evidence!). They go with everything and make every outfit more chic…from dresses to cut-off shorts. I have the ‘Makeup‘ shade, and sized up half.

These platform wedges are wildly popular, too. I found mine on deep discount here, but you can find lots of styles here. This is only the beginning of Spring and Summer shoes though, stay tuned for lots of new style inspiration coming soon.

Q. I follow you on Instagram and the blog, and you seem to have everything together! How do you balance kids, husband, work and life?!?!

I get this question a lot, and I’m always surprised. That just goes to show that blogs and social media only represent a tiny snippet of our lives. Granted I prefer to keep things light and positive…we all have crappola in our lives, why would you want to read about someone else’s crappola on the internet!? #amIright?!

But sometimes the darkness of life takes over, and I have to share, and I’m so grateful that I have this encouraging, supportive online community. Y’all amaze me, and I’m so grateful for each of you, and the moments of your life you give up to spend here.

All that’s to say, I certainly do not do it all, and there’s really no such thing as balance when it comes to the roles of wife/mother/daughter/friend. Or at least, I’ve yet to find it. I wrote all about it in this Who’s Doing It All?! Not Me! post.

Q. Do you have any siblings?

Yes ma’am, we’re the modern day Brady Bunch! Hopefully I can explain this right…I am my mom and dad’s only child, and I stayed that way for 16 years. Then my dad remarried and had three kids, giving me two half sisters and a half brother. My mom remarried a few years later to a man that already had three kids, giving me two step brothers and a step sister.

So I’m an only child with six siblings, and two awesome step parents! 😉 These are my half-siblings, and I only get to see them once or twice a year since they live in California and Montana. My step-siblings (I can’t find a recent pic of just us anywhere!!) all live about an hour away, and I’m so excited about a big trip we’re all taking together later this year (with Mama Sugarplum and my awesome stepdad!).

Q. Can you tell us what a college consultant actually does? We have a high school junior, too, and it’s all so confusing and overwhelming!

Oh mama, Junior year is no joke, right?! So much on their plates, I don’t know how they keep up! I felt like I was constantly dropping the ball when it came to SATs, ACTs, college prep, college visits, essays, etc. It’s A LOT! And we’re only just getting started. I was also worried that I’d spend the next year nagging him about applications and deadlines, and he’d go racing out the door to the first college that accepted him just to escape his mom!

So we found Deidra Fisher of One Up College Consulting, and it’s been amazing!! She meets with my son one-on-one, tracks his deadlines, consults on his class schedule, gives him tools for college searches, works with him on essays and applications…the list goes on and on. I get to sit back and watch the process knowing he has all the tools he needs, and her extensive experience will help guide him to the right place.

Now we get to do the fun stuff together, like visit college campuses, and she gets to be the heavy! She’s also a great resource for finding scholarships and grants.

Q. How do you keep the footbed of your Tori sandals so clean?

This question cracks me up!! And proves that we’re soul sisters, since obviously you notice and appreciate clean sandal footbeds! I probably keep mine cleaner than most, simply because I use them in flatlay pics all the time. But I’ve found that regular cleaning keeps them looking brand new.

Well, I wouldn’t call it strict, but I have been working out consistently for the last six months! Like for real working out, not just walking the dogs…I do Orange Theory Fitness classes 2-3 times a week. It’s intense interval training with treadmill, rowing machine and weights.

Funny enough, I think I’ve actually gained weight (or muscle, whatever) in a lot of places, but I feel better and stronger than I have in 10 years!

Q. I’d love to know about your nail routine! It appears you almost always have your nails polished. Do you get them done or do them yourself? Any products you love?

I love how observant y’all are!! And a little nervous, because it means nothing is getting past you! Yes, my nails are painted 99% of the time, and mostly just from a quick at-home manicure! I’ve been taking Collagen Peptides for a few months, so I have to do it more often now (my nails grow so much faster!). I don’t do anything fancy, just polish and a top coat. My faves are Essie ‘Bachelorette Bash’, OPI ‘Cajun Shrimp’, and Sally Hansen Gel in ‘Pink Up’.

I do splurge on pedicures a few times during the Spring and Summer #sandalseason, but now that I’ve discovered Baby Feet, I don’t need to go as often! (Read my review about that horrifyingly amazing product here.)

Q. I would love to know your everyday makeup routine!

Well you’re in luck, I just posted it last week, along with a full video!! Find that post here!

Q. I love the J.Crew one-piece you wore in Mexico, is it true to size?

I adore that suit, too!! It’s so chic, and subtly sexy while still providing full coverage across the bum. I wouldn’t say it’s an active suit, if you know what I mean! It’s more of a lounging suit while sipping cold beverages! And I’m okay with that.

As for sizing, I always go up one or two in one-pieces for extra length in the torso, and to avoid it riding up too high on my leg (or giving me a wedgie!), so I’m wearing a size 4. I wear a small in their two-pieces. And lucky ducks, most of it’s 40% off right now!

Whew! I think that’s enough for today! I have a bunch more for another time, but feel free to leave any questions of your own in the comments and I’ll add them to a future You Ask, I Answer post. And I’m an open book, so ask away!

Comments

I’m always so amazed at how you have your life together – but I guess social media does make things look better than they are. Still, I can’t imagine handling everything you are right now! You go, girl! 🙂

Believe me, you are still a spring chicken! And life is messy-ha,ha! Swiffer dust cloths are at the dollar store now. I use those first before vacuuming.
So smart to use a college consultant, let her be the “bad guy” for deadlines! Just know that the colleges will ask if you used one, so ask your consultant how to answer that question!
Who needs more fashion magazines piling up, we have Cassie!!! : ))

I looooove these posts! So fun to get to know you better. I have a question for you! I hope this doesn’t sound terribly dumb, but it is something I am trying to figure out myself. I am in my 40s, with teenagers, and I am always trying to figure out when skirts are too short (for myself). All of a sudden, anything an inch or two above the knee feels too young for me. Am I making myself sound like a stodgy old lady here? You always look absolutely darling in your clothing, and I just wondered if this is something you might have an opinion on? Since you are a mom of a teenager as well.

There are no dumb questions, Kristen! 🙂 For me, it’s more of a comfort factor…if you feel inappropriate or uncomfortable in something, then it’s not right for you. Regardless of age. There are occasions and instances where I’m not comfortable in a certain dress or skirt, or swim suit, so I make adjustments. I don’t think there’s any hard and fast rule about certain ages and hemlines, it’s what works for you. I usually err on the side of modest, and show my personality and style through the clothes and accessories, instead of my figure. xoxo

What changes have you noticed since taking the collagen peptides? How much and how often do you take? I have been contemplating this product…my nails grow fast, but are thin and weak and my hair is also thinning in spots. #imreallynospringchicken

Great question! It’s kind of hard to tell bc I think it’s subtle and slow changing…but I have noticed I’m not nearly as sore after workouts, and my hair and nails are growing faster. And random, but I just realized I rarely remember to put body lotion on after showers…my skin never feels dry or is flaky!? Which is huge this time of year!!

I love that you share this kinda stuff. I’m one of the peeps who asked about how you keep your sandal footbeds so clean. My Tory’s are about 3 years old and your trick worked really, really well! Game changer for sure. Thanks for always sharing, your the best Cassie!

I love your style and clothes – but with as many clothes as you have and always finding new pieces, I would love to know what you do to “recycle” your clothing. There is so much talk these days about clothing waste, that I am starting to feel very guilty about buying more.

New reader here! I love your style! If I can chime in with a question, the GAP/BR Friends and Family sale is coming up and I was wondering if you’d share your picks. I get overwhelmed by all that’s on their websites and would love some direction. Thanks!

Can you talk about getting spray tans? What’s the process? How do you chose a salon? What do you wear? Do you get to pick your shade? I want to get one for the first time ever for a trip we have coming up but I’m rather intimidated. Thanks!

Thank you for all the info. Could you possibly do a video of how you apply your tanner? I can never seem to get it even with no streaking. How often do you apply it and do you exfoliate before using it? Also how do you reach your back?!!

Love these!!! Would you ever consider doing s styling for one of your followers? Of course I’ll takd the plunge and volunteer! It would be great to see different body types in some of your finds. Love following you ! Adore your husbands music I’ve commented before that it seems like on my hardest days you seem to always have an IG story. Thank you❣️

I’m so happy to hear that, Becky!! I love hearing him play almost every day, and will keep sharing it on my IG Story! I love your idea of styling a reader…I’ve thought about it for years, but hadn’t figured out the best way to do it!!

Hello Cassie, love all the info you so openly share! Even though I live on the other side of the planet(Cyprus, Europe) it still is applicable!! You have such a great sense of style not only in clothes but also in interiors and have realised that you no longer post such content. I would love to see more decor stuff also, is that something you don’t want to do anymore? Thanks, Annabella!

Hi Annabella! Thanks so much for reading from afar!! 🙂 I actually do still post quite a bit of home decor…my daughter’s room and our new family room gallery wall were just last week! Home decor and room makeovers just take a lot of time (and budget), so they don’t come as often! xo. C

Just started following you on Insta and FB and reading your blog! Love it all and what a fabulous person you are!! I have two questions for you:
1. The gold watch you wear is beautiful! Who makes it??
2. I need a good white tee. Two stipulations though: I only want to have to wear a bra underneath so no see thru #hotflashesat50, and I don’t want to spend a fortune on it! Keep up the amazing info!
Cindy
Baton Rouge LA

Thank you for your beauty and style inspiration! I’m a little “older chicken” that you are lol, but your clothing combos have really helped me look for things that can be transitioned for many age groups! I’ve started to build up some basic wardrobe elements that I can work into several different outfits – all from the clothing styles you’ve put together! I also appreciate the candid look at your beauty routine. I’m anxious to try some of the products you’ve shown. You have a beautiful smile and I was wondering what you do to have such nice white teeth. I’m a big “smiler” 🙂 and would be interested in some hints or products you might recommend. Thank you again for fun and inspiring posts!!

Love a Q&A! Your cleaning tips for sandals and converse have rocked my world. Another cleaning question for you: do you have tips for either preventing makeup from getting on your collars (think down vests or popped collars) and do you have tips for getting makeup off collars that aren’t cotton (like vests or jackets etc.)? Thanks Cassie!